thoughts. Thirdly, That you would presently, this night, betake yourself to God in prayer, on your knees, and lament with tears your former folly, and earncstly beg his pardoning grace, and beseech him to give you a new, a holy, a mortified mind; and make this seriously your daily pracuce; and then, go to your f. ther, and on your knees, confess your sin and disobedi than any beast; for a beast hath it your most sober solitary no reason to rule his appetite, and so disobeyeth not his reason; but you have reason, if you will not stifle and bury it, but use it. What is it that you love so much Better than God, than Christ, than heaven, and all? Is it drink and play, and fleshly pleasure? Why a heathen, a Turk, a dog, a swine, hath his part in these as well as you. Take it not ill that I speak to you in so plain and homely a phrase. I tell you the day is even at hendence, and beg his pardon, and when your tongue shall confess that I spoke not half so ill of your way of folly as it doth deserve.-day forward, you will take your You have read in Luke, (the sixteenth) of him that was tormented in hell, because he had his good things in this life, in gay clothing and delicious fare : and how much worse than this do you ! promise unfeignedly to do so no more; and that from this fleshly disposition for the great and dangerous enemy of your soul; on the conquest of which your salvation lieta; and which you must study to subdue, and not to please. Read what Paul himself thought necessary; and that you never more meddle with sports and recreations, or drink, or other fleshly pleasures, but soberly and ordinately, and no more than is needful to fit O, Sir, remember sin is deceitful, the flesh is base, the world is worthless, pleasures here are short; but God is of infinite perfection; heaven is a certain durable possession; holi-you for the service of God; and ness is sweet and amiable; the life of godliness is clean, and safe, and pleasant. I am loth to word it with you any further; but address myself to you, in the grief of my heart, for your sin and misery, with these three important requests, which I intreat you, that you will not deny me. First, That you will, patiently and considerately, read over and over this letter which I write to that your care and business, and every day's work may be (when you have bewailed your youthful folly) to do God all the service that you can, and make ready for your appearing before the Lord; and make sure of that everlasting glory which you have forfeited. Go not out of doors till you have examined yourself whether you go upon your master's business; and whether your work be such that you could be com Secondly, That you will de-fortably found in, if death shall liberately read over this treatise call you before you come in of conversion, which herewith again. you. I send you; and as you go, examine your soul by it, and allow One thing is needful, and all things else are toys. Choose the better parts, which shall never be taken from you;† hate such a disposition as hankers after sensual brutish delights, and loveth pleasures more than God; and had rather be at sports, or drinking, than in his service; and loves the company of merry jovial fools better than of them that fear the Lord; and had rather sport and talk away time, than spend it in preparing for eternal glory; for if this be the present frame of your mind, as true as the word of God is true, you are dead in sin, and an heir of hell; and cannot be saved, unless converting, saving grace, do make you a new creature, and give you a new heart, so that old things pass away, and all things become new with you. § Sir, I again beseech you to grant me these three requests that I have made to you. It would rejoice me much to hear of your conversion, as it grieves me to hear what you are, and fear what you will be. If you yield thus much to God and me, you will have the everlasting comfort of it. If you will not, I do testify to your face, that it is not your fleshly pleasures, nor idle, delusory companions, nor your unbelief, stupidity, false imaginations, or childish folly, that shall save you from the burning wrath of God; and I profess, I had rather be a toad than you. And let me add, the words of a dying mother, and the earnest requests of her and your yet surviving friend, shall witness against you before the Lord, and aggravate that load + Luke 1. 42. † Psa. xv. 4.§ 2 Cor. v. 17. that must be on your soul to all eternity. Sir, nobody shall know from me what I write to you, if you keep it to yourself and amend ; and as long as no eye seeth it but your own, the plainest dealing, in so great a cause, can be no injury to you. But let me tell you, if you shall go on in folly, and turn not unto God, and live not in his fear, perhaps I may publish to the knowledge of the world the admonition which I have given you, that your name may rot to all posterity; and it may appear, that if you were disobedient to a dying mother, yet, I was faithful to the last charge of a dying friend; and if you durst abuse the Lord by sinning, so durst not I by letting you alone. But God forbid that you should put me to this! I cannot, I will not yet give up my hope, that God hath mercy for a son of so many prayers and tears which have been poured out for you by a saint now in heaven; and which, the Lord is witness, are seconded with the tears of your surviving monitor, with which these lines were begun, and are now ending; and which shall be followed with my prayers, while God will give me a heart to pray, that you may presently prove a returning. prodigal; that both your earthly and heavenly father may rejoice, and say, This our son was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found. (Luke xv. 32.) I pray you, read the whole chapter. Sir, I remain an earnest desirer of your conversion and salvation, RICHARD BAXTER. Sept. 17th, 1657. TO THE EDITORS OF THE CONNECTICUT EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. REV. GENTLEMEN, lief of our poor heathen brethren, who are perishing in native darkness; can we be destitute of gratitude to him? What can more sensibly touch the feelings of a tender, pious heart, than this consideration, that one soul should perish for the want of THE Society mentioned in the following address, is termed the Female Missionary SocietyEach subscriber, pays 50 cents per annum. The monies col-knowledge? Can any one feel lected, are to be appropriated for the purchasing of the bible and other religious books, which are to be distributed among the needy inhabitants of our new settlements, and other places, as shall be thought expedient. Your's, PHILA. An Address, written by a female, to the Female Missionary Society, Massachusetts. Worthy and respectable friends, RE we not engaged in a the power of religion, and not wish to have others feel the same? If we have ever tasted that the Lord is gracious, we shall long to have others partake with us. We shall unite with the psalmist and say, "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Psalm xxxiv. 8. If the (for to the natural man it is a bible has ever been opened to us, sealed book) and we have been able to say with the Psalmist ;thy word have I hid in my heart; thy word is a lamp unto my A we not may feet, and a light to my path; we not hope for the divine presence of our God, and expect his blessing to rest upon us? What can be more animating to a heaven born soul, than to be striving to advance the interest of the dear Redeemer, and doing every thing in its power (the grace of God attending) to build up his kingdom in this world? Saith David, "while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue." Ps. xxxix. 3. Methinks that every child of God must and will say, when he reflects upon the late happy meeting of the Female Society; how transporting and soul refreshing was that precious season!-And when we contemplate upon that wise and judicious plan, which was proposed by our worthy and Reverend pastor, that of forming ourselves into a society, for the purpose of contributing for the re I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil :-thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.-Oh how love I thy law; 'tis my meditation all the day. If, indeed, we have felt like this; our eyes have been opened, to see wondrous things out of the law. And if so, we shall be ready to improve every opportunity, that God gives us, to manifest our love for our dear Lord and Master. How thankful ought we to be, to the Supreme Being, that we are indulged this precious opportunity, which we now enjoy? Is it not animating, to think of being used as instruments in the hand of the great God, of bringing some poor, ignorant souls to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus?-It surely is. If we love God; if we love Jesus Christ, the blessed son of God; if we love his word; if we do in reality, love this holy religion of the meek and lowly Jesus; we shall now aim at the divine glory, in this important business. The child of God who has tasted that his word is sweet; yea, at times sweeter than the honey or even the honey comb; feels for perishing souls, that are destitute of this heavenly bread. My dear Christian friends, have not your hearts burned within you, as did the hearts of the two disciples, when on their way to Emmaus, and conversing about their dear Lord, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them? Has not this been the case with some of you when Jesus has really drawn near, and opened to you the scriptures; I send the promise of my Father upon youtherefore up all ye fearful ones, and lay hold of the promise of God, that thereby you may be quickened in your duty. The Bible tells us, that he who waters shall be watered again. Then fear not to sprinkle a few drops upon the distant parched land. And while we thus water, will not the dew descend upon us from above, in plentiful showers. If we trust in Jesus, that he will be in the midst of us, we need not fear who is without? What greater encouragement can we wish for? We must not however, expect to enjoy this privilege unmolested. We must look out for trials, that will perhaps sift the true Christian as wheat. Many re drawn back the veil, and enlight-proaches have already, and will ened the eyes of your understanding? While thus your eyes have been opened, to see and know your dear Lord, have you not run and told his disciples, that the Lord has risen indeed. Methinks some can answer in the affirmative. If so, then will they rejoice to send these glad tidings of great joy, to our poor heathen brethren. And while we thus do, and meet together, to commune one with another upon this benevolent plan; may we not hope that Jesus will be in the midst of us and say, peace be unto you? Then, what calm serenity and heavenly peace will sit upon every countenance; if Jesus deigns to converse with us. But it may be, that some will be filled with doubts and fearful apprehensions. If so, his words are, why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts; behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. And behold VOL. V. No. 2. still be cast, upon the Female Society. This is no sure evidence that the cause is not good, or that the work is not the Lord's. Jesus plainly taught his disciples that in the world they should have tribulation-but comforting words follow: Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. It is enough that the servant should be as his master. Christ says, if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. We shall have, enemies without, and perhaps, some within, who will not be friendly to the cause, and they may bring up an evil report of this good work. But, my friends, let us not fear, neither be cast down. But rather obey Jesus,and stretch forth the hand of faith and lay hold of those promises of God, which are applicable in such a case. No weapon formed against thee shall prosper-and every tongue that shall rise up against thee in judgment thou shalt K redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, for I will make thine horn iron, and will make thy hoofs brass, and thou shalt beat in pieces many people; and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. Micah iv. 10,13. Now if any of us have in real condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me saith the Lord. (Isaiah liv. 17.) If we can put our trust in the Lord God, we shall at once see, that neither earth nor hell can prevail against us. And as the Lord said unto Moses, speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward-in like manner does he speak to the direc-ity experienced true religion, we tors of this Society. Let each one take heed that they go not in their own strength, but in the strength of the Lord Jehovah; making mention of his righteousness, and his only. Then shall we see the pleasure of the Lord prosper before us, and the wilderness blossom as the rose. Jesus is preparing the way, and going before--therefore fear not, daughter of Zion-behold thy king cometh sitting on an ass's colt-Hosanna, blessed is the king that cometh in the name of the Lord. What support this must be to the Christian, when he reflects that Jesus is in the way, the great Captain of our salvation? Christ hath toid us, search the scriptures. if we are careful to look into our bibles, we shall find abundant encouragement to proceed, particularly where the children, the daughters of Zion are called upon to be in travail for souls. For the purpose of being made strong in the Lord, let us turn¦ to some of them. Craist saith to the Church, be in pain and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for Low shalt thou go forth out of the City, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and then shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the Lord shall shall certainly feel in a greater or less degree this love for our fellow creatures. Our hearts will bleed in secret for poor Christless souls. Will they not go forth, even for poor heathens, who have never been informed of a Saviour, and know not the way the truth and the life?They have not the bible in their hands. They do not enjoy those precious and golden privileges that we do-the gospel ordinances. What a miserable situation are they in-ignorant of the God who made them-of Christ who died for them-of their duty, both towards God and man, having no one to teach themwhilst we, no better by nature than they, are enjoying Sabbath and sanctuary privileges, and instructed in our duty, both by faithful ministers and Chistian friends. We indeed have line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. But they are destitute of all these great and inestimable blessings. Are there any individuals in this society, whose hearts can remain unaffected when viewing them in this deplorable condition? If so, it is a sure evidence that such never saw their own depraved hearts, and the need of a cure for their sin-sick souls. But my unexperienced friends, think not that |